There are many reasons why people lose teeth, but the result may be the same: losing teeth can be a major blow to your self-confidence and your overall health. While nobody wants to lose their teeth, once they have, it may feel overwhelming to address the problem. However, missing teeth can make it difficult to eat and speak properly and may lead to problems with your jawbone. You must contact a dentist Ryde, who will be able to help you replace your missing teeth and protect your gums and remaining natural teeth from any further issues. One treatment that they may suggest you have is dental implants. Dental implants are a convenient and long-term solution to replacing missing teeth. If you want to have a smile that looks and acts like your natural smile, this could well be the treatment you need. There’s nothing quite like it!
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are small, titanium screws that can be placed into your jawbone by your dentist; this is not major surgery and can be done with just local anaesthesia. Once the implants are in place, they act as a foundation for replacement teeth, just like bionic teeth roots. Replacement teeth can be made of a variety of materials, including porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two, and your dentist can discuss whether you need crowns, bridges or dentures; this will depend on how many teeth you need to replace.
How do dental implants work?
Once the implants are placed in your jawbone, they will fuse to the bone over time because the body’s tissues will heal around them. This process is called osseointegration. Once the implants are osseointegrated, the replacement teeth can be attached to them using an abutment.
Advantages of dental implants
There are numerous advantages to using dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are a permanent solution because they are not removable and can help to improve overall health. Also, unlike dentures or bridges, which can be removed, dental implants are attached to your jawbone and will not come loose. The great thing about dental implants is the fact that they are very easy to take care of. You simply need to have a good oral health routine by brushing and flossing regularly, and you will be required to see your dentist for routine checkups – and that’s it! What’s more, dental implants can help you improve your overall health. When you lose teeth, the bone in your jawbone can start to deteriorate, which can lead to issues with your bite, your ability to chew food, and even your speech. Dental implants can help to prevent this bone loss and improve your overall health. When you have your dental implants fitted, you won’t need to avoid any foods you normally enjoy – you can carry on with your life as usual! Your dental implants should be aesthetically pleasing and make you feel wonderful. Not only that but having missing teeth can make your face look sunken and older. Dental implants can help to restore your smile and make you look and feel younger; in doing so, they can help you increase your self-confidence.
How are the replacement teeth made?
The replacement teeth for dental implants are made to complement any remaining natural teeth you may have, and they will complement each other too. Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental laboratory, where a mould of your teeth will be created to produce the replacement teeth. Once completed, the replacement teeth will be sent back to your dentist, who will then attach them to the implants; this process is usually done within one or two appointments.
Dental implant surgery
Dental implant surgery is a relatively minor procedure that can be performed in the dentist’s chair with local anaesthesia. However, it is important to choose a qualified dentist who has experience with dental implants. Your dentist will need to make a small incision in your gum tissue and then place the metal screws into your jawbone before closing the incision with stitches.
The healing process for dental implant surgery usually takes about six weeks. During this time, you will need to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the implant was placed, although you will have temporary replacement teeth attached to the dental implant, while your mouth heals.
Aftercare
After your dental implant surgery, you will need to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully. You will need to keep the area clean and free of infection. You may also need to take antibiotics to prevent infection.
Your dentist will have checkups with you, and once they are certain that everything has healed well, you will only have to go for regular dental checkups as normal after that – usually once a year.
If you want to know more about dental implants, book a consultation with a dentist to discuss the treatment options that would suit you. If you do get dental implants, you can put your teeth back in!
Disclaimer
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
